Valve for hydraulic elevators



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

A. KIEGKHEFER. VALVE FOR HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS.

Patented Sept.- 9, 1890.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST KIEOKHEFER, OF MI LXVAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

VALVE FOR HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 436,245, dated September 9, 1890.

Application filed April 23, 1889.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AUGUST KIECKHEFER, of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valves for Hydraulic Elevators; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The main objects of my invention are to facilitate the operation of the valve by which water is admitted into and discharged from the cylinder of hydraulic elevators or of other machines actuated by fluid-pressure to automatically shift said valve, so as to arrest the main piston at the proper limits of its movement, 82:0.

It consists, essentially, of two valve-actuating pistons, one fixed and the other having a limited movement on the main valve rod or stem, of an auxiliary valve under the con trol of the operator, in connection with the cylinder of said valve-actuating pistons, of an automatic stop-valve connected with the main piston and arranged to arrest said piston at the proper limits of its movement,

.and of certain peculiarities of construction and arrangement, hereinafter particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, like letters designate the same parts in the several fig ures.

Figure 1 is a medial longitudinal section of the main-valve cylinder and its connections, the auxiliary-valve cylinder, and the stop-valve cylinder. Fig. 2 is a like section of the auxiliary-valve cylinder, showing the auxiliary valve-in position for admitting wa ter to the main cylinder and raising the elevator. Fig. 3 is a like section showing the auxiliary valve in position for discharging water from the main cylinder and allowing the elevator to descend. Fig. 4 is a like section of the main-valve cylinder, showing-a modification of the actuating-pistons and connections of the main valve. Fig. 5 is a medial longitudinal section of the stop-valve $erial No. 308,312. (No model.)

a vertical position they may be successfully set and operated horizontally or in any other convenient position.

A represents the main-valve cylinder having open ends and formed with an annular enlargement a, which communicates at one sidewith a lateral opening A leading to the cylinder of the main or elevator-actuating piston. To the upper end of the cylinder A is bolted or suitably attached an elbow-joint A, which connects with the water-main or other suitable source of water-supply. To the lower end of said cylinder A is attached the cylinder D, formed at its upper end with the lateral opening and coupling D, leading to the sewer, and with the smaller openings or ports d d, which communicate With'the cylinder of the auxiliary valve. The cylinders A and D may be cast integrally or in.

sections, which are bolted or otherwise suitably attached to each other, as shown in the drawings.

B is-the main valve composed of' two piston-heads b b, rigidly secured upon the valve stem or rod 0, and E F are valve-actuating pistons, the first fixed upon the valve-rod O and the other loosely mounted thereon between the shoulders or collars c 0, between which it is capable of sliding upon said valverod.

The cylinder A is preferably provided with IOO area in the lining a, adjacent to the opening A or, in place of the two heads I) b, a single head of sufficient length may be employed The area of each of the pistons E and F is made equal to the area of the valve B, and to overbalanee the water-pressure on the upper side of the valve 13, for the purpose of raising itagainst such pressure, I provide an extension of the valve-rod, which passes through a stuffing-box a in the elbowA, and attached thereto a cable n, which passes over a pulley N, and is connected at the other end with a weight N.

The upward movement of the loose actuating-piston F is limited by an inwardlyprojecting flange d on the cylinder D, just below the port cZ,'so as to hold the valve B in its middle position, thereby closing the opening A when said piston F, engaging the up per collar 0 of the valve-rod, rests against said flange d G represents the cylinder of the auxiliary valve formed with two lateral passages g g, which are connected with the ports (1 d of the cylinder D. It is also provided with the inlet-ports 'i 'i and the outlet-ports jj, which are connected, respectively, with the watermain or other suitable water-s11 pply and with the sewer. The valve proper consists of four piston-heads h, 71., k and 71. fixed upon the valve-rod H, which passes through a stuffingbox g at the upper end of the cylinder G, and has suitable connections (not shown) provided for its operation. The cylinder G is formed adjacent to the several ports 1 z" j g g with annular recesses or enlargements, and is preferably provided with a brass lining thickly perforated with small holes adjacent to these recesses or enlargements.

K represents the cylinder of the automatic stop-valve provided with an induction-port 7a and an eduction-port 7o,eonn'eeted, respectively, with the water-main or other suitable water-supply and with the sewer. It is also provided with ports 7.0 7c ,which are connected, respectively, with the ports (I d of the cylinder D, like the auxiliary-valve cylinder G. It is formed with annular enlargements or recesses adjacent to each of the several ports therein, and is provided with a brass lining perforated adjacent to said recesses. The valve proper consists of four piston-heads Z Z Z Z fixed upon the valve-rod L, which is provided with two shoulders or collars Z 1 so placed thereon as 'to be engaged by a tappet m, attached to the piston-rod m of the main or elevator'actuating piston just before the latter reaches the desired limits of its movement.

In the passage connecting the port cl with the auxiliary valve and stop-valve I place a check-valve 0, having seats 0' and 0 and arranged to close communication through either passage open to exhaust when the other passage is open to induction. I provide some suitable device-sueh as that shown in Figs. 1 and 5to automatically return the stopvalve when released by the tappet m to its middle position, as shown in Fig. 5. The device shown in the drawings consists of a fixed eye Z through which the valve-rod L loosely passes, and of springs Z Z placed around said valve-rod and bearing at the ends against the v opposite sides of said eye Z and against col- .lars Z and Z, fastened on said valve-rod.

M is the cylinder of the main or elevatoraetuating piston, preferably set in a vertical position, although it maybe set and operated horizontally.

Referringto Fig. 4,illustrating a modification of the main-valve-actuating pistons, by which the weight N may be dispensed with, E and F are the actuating-pistons, the first fixed and the other loosely mounted upon the piston-rod C of the valve B, and of greater diameter or area than the heads I) b of the said valve.

As previously described with reference to Fig. 1, the movement of the loose piston F upon the valve-rod G is limited by shoulders or collars c c, and its upward movement in the cylinder D is arrested atthe proper point by an inwardly-projecting flange (1 The valve-cylinder A and the piston-cylinder D ,iu this case of larger diameter, may be cast integrally or in separate sections and bolted together, as shown in Fig. 4.. The extension of the valve-rod 0' being dispensed with, a plain elbowconnection A is employed.

The same or similar connections with the water main or supply, the cylinder M, the sewer, and the auxiliary and stop valves are made as in the construction previously described.

My improved valve operates as follows: When the main valve B is in its middle position, as shown in Fig. 1, the opening A leading to the cylinder M, is cut off from communication with the induction-opening A and with the eduction-opening D, thereby preventing the admission or discharge of Water from the cylinderM and holding the main or elevator-actuating piston quiescent. To raise the main piston, the auxiliary valve is moved by the operator into the position shown in Fig. 2. The waterbetween the pistonsE and F is then allowed to pass out through the port cl, passage g, and port j in said valve, and the water underneath the loose piston F is allowed to escape through port d, passage g, and the eduction-port 7". The actuating-pistons E and F, thus relieved of pressure on the under side, allow the constant pressure of the water on the upper head I) of the main valve to force said valve downward past the opening A communicating with the main cylinder M, and thereby establish communication between the openings A and A The water thus admitted from the main under pressure to the cylinder M raises the main piston. To stop the elevator or main piston at any point, the auxiliary valve is moved into the position shown in Fig. 1, in which position communication is establishedbetween-the inductionport t" and the port 01', and water under pressure is admitted into the cylinder D underneath the piston F. The said piston F, en-

gaging with the upper collar 0 on the pistonrod, acting in connection with the weight N, raises the valve B against the water-pressure on its upper head into the position shown in Fig. 1, when the further upward movement of said piston F is arrested by the inward-proj ecting flange 01 To cause the elevator or main piston to descend, the auxiliary valve is moved into the position shown in Fig. 3, in which position communication isestablishedbetween the induction-port i of said valve and the port cl through the passage 9, and water under pressure is thereby admitted into cylinder D between the pistons E and F, and, acting in connection with the weight N, lifts said valve against the constant pressure onits upper head into the position indicated by dotted lines above the opening A 7 Communication is thereby established between the opening A and the opening D and the water allowed to escape from the main cylinderM into the sewer and the main piston permitted to descend. In the last-mentioned position of the auxiliary valve (shown in Fig. 3) the same communication between theinduction-port t" of said valve and the port d, opening into cylinderD underneath the piston F, is maintained or established as in the middle position of said valve. (Shown in Fig. 1.) The upward movement of the main valve B, by which the cylinder M is allowed to exhaust and the main piston to de scend, is arrested by the shoulder or collar 0 at the lower end of the valve-rod O, engaging the movable piston F in engagement with the flange d in the cylinder D. As the main piston approaches the upper limit of its movement, the tappet m, engaging with the collar Z on the valve-rod L, automatically moves the stop-valve into the position shown in Fig. 1, in which position communication is established between the induction-port k of said valve, through the port 10 with the port d of cylinder 1), and the main valve B is moved by the loose piston F into its middle position, as hereinbefore described. When the main piston approaches the lower limit of its movement, the tappet m engages the collar Z on the valve-rod L and moves the stop-valve into the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, thereby establishing communication between the exhaust-port is of said valve, through the port 10 with the port 01 of cylinder D and cutting off the induction-port is, from communication with the port 01'. The water confined between the pistons E and F is thus allowed to escape through the port and the main valve B is forced by the pressure on its upper head downward to its middle position, (shownin Fig. 2,) Where its movement is arrested by the upper collar 0 on the valverod engaging the loose piston F, which is held up against the flange 01 by the water-pressure underneath it. It is obvious that the weight N must be sufficient, in addition to the water pressure on the under side of the actuatingpiston E or F, to over-balance the Water-pressure .on the upper head of the main valve; but it must not be sufilcient alone to balance the water-pressure on the upper head and prevent the downward movement of said valve when the pistons E and F are relieved of pressure on the under side. is in the position shownin Fig. 2, for depressing the main valve B and raising the elevator, and the stop-valve is shifted to the position shown in Fig; 1, water under pressure is admitted through ports 10 and k and closes the checkvalve 0 against the seat 0", thereby closing the passageg,whichisopentoexhaustthrough the port j in. the auxiliary valve, and compelling the water to flow through port d into cylinder A underneath the piston F. The shifting of the auxiliary valve under these conditions to its middle position, as shown in Fig. 1,

would simply close the passage 9' to exhaust,

through port j and establish communication between it and the induction-port t" When the auxiliary valve without efiect upon the main valve or elevator-actuating piston. When, however, under the above conditions the auxiliary valve is moved into the position shown in Fig. 3, for raising the main valve B and lowering the elevator, and the elevator begins to descend, the stop-valve, being released by tappet m, is moved by springs Z into its middle position, (shown in Fig. 5,) and the port 01' is opened to exhaust through ports k and k. The passage g being in communication with the induction-port z" of the auxiliary valve, the checkvalve 0 is closed against its seat 0 and the water entering through passage g is thereby prevented from escaping through the ports 70 and 7c of the stop-valve. If. when the auxiliary valve is in the position shown in Fig. 3 the'stop-valve is shifted by the tappet m into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the port d open to induction through passage g, communicating with port 4; of the auxiliary valve, is opened to exhaust through the ports 10 and is of the stop-valve, and the water entering through passage g, as well as that between pistons E and F, is allowed to escape through said stop-valve, and the main valve B is allowed to descend to its middle position. If now the auxiliary valve is moved into its middle position, (shown in Fig. 1,) the passage 9 is simply cut off from communication with the induction-port i, and opened to exhaust through port j, preventing waste of water, without effect upon the main valve or the elevator-actuating piston. When the auxiliary valve is moved into the position shown in Fig. 2, for depressing the main valve B and raising the elevator, the Water confined underthe pistons E and F is allowed to exhaust through passages g and g and ports jand j, the elevator rises, and the stop-valve is released by the tappet m and is returned by the springs Z to its middle position, (shown in IIO (Z and 7a through port 13 and establishing communication between ports and W, the check-valve 0 remaining closed against seat 0 The operation of the modified form of the device shown in Fig. 4 is the same as herein described, except that the upward movement of the valve B is effected by the piston E or F alone, the difference between the area of each of said pistons and the area of the upper valve-heads b effecting the same result that is accomplish ed by the weight N. (Shown in Fig. 1.)

The piston F is prevented from descending below the port (1 by means of an open-ended tube (1 attached to the lower head of cylinder D, so as to receive and permit of the downward movement of the lower end of the valve-rod O and to sustain said piston upon its upper end just above the port at.

I claim- 1. The combination, with the main valve and its cylinder having supply and discharge apertures at or near its ends, and an intermediate connection with the cylinder of the main piston, of two actuating-pistons, one fixed and the other loosely mounted upon the valve-rod, and an auxiliary valve having separate connections with the cylinder-chambers of said actuating-piston s, whereby the actuating medium may be admitted or discharged from either or both of said cylinder-chambers, as desired, substantially as and for the purposes above set forth.

2. The combination, with the main valve, of two actuating-pistons,one fixed and the other movable on the valve-rod, a cylinder-in which said pistons are fitted, having ports, one between said pistons and the other on the opposite side of the loose piston, and an auxiliary valve controlling the admission under pressure and the discharge of water into and from said cylinder through either of said ports, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination, with the main valve and its cylinder provided with supply and discharge apertures and with a connection with the cylinder of the main piston, of two actuating-pistons, one fixed and the other movable on the valve-rod, a cylinder in which said pistons work, havinga port between said pistons and a port on the opposite side of the loose piston, and an auxiliary valve controlling the admission of water under pressure into and its discharge from said piston-cylinder through either port, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination, with the main valve and its cylinder and supply and discharge apertures and a connection with the cylinder of the main piston, of a closing-piston movable upon the valve-rod between stops thereon, a cylinder in which said piston works, having a stop to limit the movement of said piston on one side and a port on the opposite side, and an auxiliary valve controlling the admission of water under pressureinto and its discharge from said piston-cylinder through said port, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination, with the main valve, of two actuating-pistons mounted upon the valve-rod, a cylinder in which said pistons work, and an auxiliary valve consisting of four piston-heads mounted 011 the same valverod, and a cylinder having two induction and two eduction ports and two ports communicating with the cylinder in which said valveactuating pistons work, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination, with the main valve, its actuating-pistons, and an auxiliary valve having connections with the cylinder-chambers of said actuating-pistons, of an automatic stop-valve arranged to be shifted by the movement of the main piston, and having separate connections with the cylinder-chambers of said actuating-pistons, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. The combination, with the main valve and its cylinder having supply and discharge apertures and a connection with the cylinder of the main piston, of controlling pistons mounted on the valve-rod, a cylinder in which said pistons are adapted to work, provided with suitable ports, an automatic stop-valve consisting of a cylinder having an induction and eduction port, ports connected with the ports of the cylinder of said controllingpistons, and a number of piston-heads working in said valve-cylinder and mounted upon a valve-rod, which is arranged to be shifted by the main piston at the limits of its movement, whereby water is admitted under pressure into or discharged from the cylinder of said controlling-pistons, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. The combination, with the main valve and its cylinder having supply and discharge apertures and a connection with the cylinder of the main piston, of controlling-pistons, one fixedly and the other movably mounted upon the valve-rod, said movable piston being arranged to move the main valve against the water-pressure thereon to its middle position, and the other piston being arranged to move said valve beyond its middle position against the water-pressure thereon, and an auxiliary valve controlling the admission of Water under pressure into and its discharge from the cylinder-chamber in which either of said pistons Works, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. The combination, with the main valve and its cylinder, of controlling pistons of greater area, one loosely and the other fixedly mounted on the valve-rod, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

10. The combination, with the main valve and its cylinder having supply and discharge apertures and a connection with the cylinder of the main piston, of two controlling-pistons,

ICC

of either controlling-valve, substantially .as 10 and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 7

AUGUST KIEOKHEFER. Witnesses:

CHAS. L. Goss, A. W. HARD. 

